Convertible cabinet, case, or the like.



J. H. FAULKNER.

CONVERTIBLE CABINET, CASE, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1911.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. H. FAULKNER.

GONVERTIBLE CABINET, CASE, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1911.

' 1,090,524. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. H. PAULKNER.

CONVERTIBLE CABINET, cAsE, OR THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 7, 1911.

1,090,524. v Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. H. FAULKNER.

UQNVEBTIBLE CABINET, CASE, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION TILED JULY 7, 1911. 1,090,524. Patented Mar. 17, 1914. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

JOHN HENRY RAULKNER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CONVERTIBLE CABINET, CASE, OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 17, 1914. Application filed July 7, 1911.

Serial No. 637,317.

Cabinets, Cases, or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to nnprovements in portable convertible cabinets, cases or the like of the kind which may be converted into atable and one or more seats.

According to this invention, the cabinet or case comprises bottom and side portions hinged together so as to be opened out to form a table top, folding legs pivoted to the underside of the bottom to serve as a support, and a removable lid fitted with folding legs to form a seat or seats, with or without additional seats adapted to be contained in the cabinet.

The cabinet or case may be made from any suitable material, for instance, wood, compressed cane, or metal.

The invention may be used for various purposes in which it is desired to carry articles from place to place and to provide when required a table and seats which may be readily erected by manipulating the cabinet or case. I will describe my invention as applied to a cabinet or case which may be packed with the requisites for a luncheon or picnic, and I have shown in the accompanying drawings a convertible cabinet which may be conveniently carried on the side step of a motor car.

is a view showing the underneath of the cabinet with the parts folded up; Fig. 4 is an underneath view of the other portion of the lid forming a second seat, with the parts folded up; Fig. 5 is a part perspective view of the seat shown in Fig. 2 with parts unfastened, and Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, showing one of the ends of the cabinet opened out. I

The cabinet comprises a bottom A, folding sides B, ends C and lid D, The sides B are connected to the bottom A by hinges A of a known kind in such a manner that the sides may be folded down so as to occupy the extended position shown in Fig. 1 and be supported in that position.

The ends 0 may be fixed to the bottom A so as to remain in an upright position or may be hinged thereto so as to be folded down in a similar manner to the sides B. In Flg. 6 the end 0 is shown opened out. It 1s connected tothe bottom A by butt hinges A similar to the hinges A A compartnient E is provided on the inside of each end C. This compartmentis fitted with a drawer F which may be pulled out from either side and has recesses F in its ends for that purpose. The folding ends may be secured in an upright position by any suitable means. In Figs. .1 and 6 a sliding catch E is recessed into the bottom A, a projection E on the compartment E cooperating therewith. The sides B are provided with catches B which engage spring clips C on the ends C to secure the sides in their folded up position. The ends 0 have drop handles C for convenience in carrying the apparatus.

Folding legs G are pivoted by pins G to brackets G recessed into and secured to the underneath side of the bottom A. The legs G may be folded up as shown in Fig. 3 and secured in that position by clips G fastened to the bottom A. The legs G are splayed outward but have sufiicient spring to permit of their being sprung inward and passed beneath the clips G The legs will 'be securely held in the clips G by reason of their tendency to spring outward. Brackets H are secured to and recessed in the bottom A, and on pins H of these brackets are pivoted stays J. At the ends of the stays J blocks J are pivoted on pins J which lie in y a plane parallel to the pins H Struts K are pivoted to the blocks J so asto turn on an axis at right angles to the pins J Thebottom A is recessed so that the struts K, when the stays J are folded up, may lie flush with the outer surface of the bottom. The stays J and struts K are secured in their folded position by pivoted catches L. Short legs A of a height sufficient to support the cabinet with the folded legs and stays clear of the step or other place upon which the cabinet may be rested, are secured at each corner of the bottom A. These legs A may be faced with rubber or may be in the form of rubber stops. The ends of the struts K are reduced to form shoulders K and the reduced portions K are of square or other polygonal cross-section. The legs G have holes G of a shape corresponding to that fixed in posltion to secure the legs G in their opened out position. The reduced portions K may be tapered slightly to facilitate their insertion in the holes G The squared ends of the struts K prevent them turning in the holes G and the parts are thus held more rigid.

Thelid of the cabinet may form one or more seats which fit the table. In the example given in the drawings the lid is in two portions D, D and each portion may be utilized as a seat as will now be explained.

To the underside of the lid portions D, D are pivoted legs M and stays N with Struts 0, and the arrangement is similar to that of the legs G, stays J and struts K on the bottom of the cabinet as already described.

The legs M are pivoted to brackets M recessed in the portions D and D The legs M, when folded up, do not lie within each other as do the legs G as they are shorter and fold up toward each other as clearly shown in Fig. 4. They are secured in their folded posit-ion by clips M The stays N are pivoted to brackets N recessed in the lid portions and the struts O are pivoted to blocks 0 on the ends of the stays N so as to be turned either into the folded position shown in Fig. 4 or into the opened out position shown in Fig. 2. \Vhenin the folded position they may be secured by pivoted catches The ends 0 of the struts O are squared to fit corresponding holes in the legs M.

The lid portions D, D are secured to the ends C of the cabinet by means of projecting catches D at one end which fit into holes D in one end C. The other end G has spring clips D which engage catches D on the opposite end of the lid portions D, D The two portions D, D are scarfed together at D as shown in Figj 3. This arrangement prevents wet from entering the cabinet at the joint.

hen the cabinet or case is folded up it forms a convenient receptacle for various articles. The cabinet illustrated in the drawings maybe fitted with a luncheon basket which would occupy the space between the bottom A, lid D, D and end compartments E. VYhen it is desired to convertthe cabinet into a table and seats, the legs G are released from the clips G and opened out, and the pivoted catches L are turned so as to release the stays J and struts K. The struts K are then turned soas to occupy the position indicated in l and their reduced ends are inserted in the holes G in the legs. The length of the struts K is such that the legs G are forced against the shoulders K the struts by reason of the spring of the legs G. The lid portions D, D are removed by releasing their catches O and sliding them a short distance longitudinally. The sides B are released by pressing the spring clips C and are opened out into a horizontal position. The ends C, when they are hinged to the bottom A, may also be opened out as shown in Fig. 6. The luncheon basket, etc., may now be'removed and the parts will then form a convenient table. The legs M on the lid portions are opened out and secured in position in a similar manner to the legs G, and in their opened out position form a seat as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example the lid'may be in one piece and form only one seat. The compartments E and drawers F may bedispensed with, or other compartments fitted as may be desired. Further, the sides B and ends C may be hinged in any other suitable manner which will enable them to be folded downand supported in a horizontal position.

Where the lid isv in a single piece and forms only one seat, a further seat or seats may be provided constructed substantially the same as those above described but, being somewhat smaller so as to fit inside the cabinet. These ext-ra seats may conveniently rest on the compartments E, which of course would be of suitable dimensions to permit the insertion of the additional seats.

hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. combined box and table comprising a sectional table top, the members of which are adapted to be adjusted to form opposite sides and bottom of a box-like case or to be arranged in horizontal alinement, legs pivotally connected with the member constituting the bottom of the box to fold against the outer surface thereof, stays pivotally connected to the same member, and struts pivotally connectedto the stays whereby they may extend parallel with the stays or transversely thereof, each strut when in the last said position being adapted to engage two of the legs.

2. A combined box, table and seat comprising a member which constitutes the bottom of the box and midsection of the table top, two members hinged to opposite edges of the firstsaid member and adapted to be adjusted into horizontal alinement therewith to form a table top or into position at .an angle thereto to form sides of the box, legs pivotally connected with and adapted to fold against thelower face of the member constituting the bottom of the box, a lid or cover for the box, and legs connected with and adapted to fold against the inner face t e m 3. A combined box and table comprising a sectional table top having its members connected so that they may be adjusted to form opposite sides and the bottom of a box or be held in horizontal alinement, legs pivotally connected with and adapted to fold beneath the member forming the bottom of the box, stays similarly connected with said member, a strut connected with each stay by means permitting it to be turned into alinement with or at right angles to the stay, the ends of each strut being reduced and In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribmg wltnesses.

JOHN HENRY FAULKNER. Witnesses:

IIARRY S. BRIDGES,

EVAN T. EVAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C." 

